Construction begins for Cherry Creek Trail

Cyclists and walkers will soon have a smoother ride when travelling down Cherry Creek Road. Construction on the Cherry Creek Trail—that runs from Cherry Creek Hall to the city boundary at Bishop Crescent—is now underway to create a more user-friendly path. The construction contract was awarded to Denis Francoeur Backhoeing and is set to be complete by March 30. Andrew McGifford, manager of environmental services with the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, said the trail is commonly used by cyclists, walkers and school children on their way to John Howitt Elementary School. “[The trail] is kind of overgrown and it’s always been there, but what is happening is it’s going to be cleaned up and more user friendly, so people aren’t using the road,” McGifford said. “Right now people who use their bikes will probably be on the road and this will just take them off that narrow strip.” The construction cost of the trail is $47,757.62 including GST and a BikeBC grant, awarded to the ACRD, covers 50 per cent of construction costs. “We’ve seen Tofino just had another award for BikeBC… so it’s become quite a popular grant funding program for the province,” McGifford said. “We had the award at the same time the City of Port Alberni had the award to do their bike lanes in town.” karly.blats@ albernivalleynews.com